Harley-Davidson Sportster XL1200X Forty-Eight - Owner's Manual > Cleaning and General Care

Clean and protect the cosmetic surfaces on your motorcycle as often as possible to inhibit rust and corrosion. After the motorcycle is cleaned, polish and seal the motorcycle to create a barrier of protection against the weather and harsh substances.

Harley-Davidson cleaning products are tested extensively for use on vehicle surfaces. These products are formulated to be compatible with one another.

See a Harley-Davidson dealer to purchase recommended cleaning products. Refer to Recommended Cleaning and Care Products and Recommended Surface Care Products.

NOTES:

• Use recommended surface care products. Do not use paper towels, terry cloths, cloth diapers or other materials with nylon fibers which can create fine scratches to surfaces.
• Dirty cleaning materials can scratch finished surfaces. Use only clean sponges and detailing cloths to prevent damage to the motorcycle.
• For repair of scratched surfaces, see a Harley-Davidson dealer.

Observe warnings on labels of cleaning compounds. Failure to follow warnings could result in death or serious injury.

Do not wash brake discs with cleaners containing chlorine or silicone. Cleaners containing chlorine and silicone can impair brake function, which could result in death or serious injury.

Do not use a pressure washer to clean motorcycle. Using a pressure washer can result in equipment damage.

Use of abrasive products or powered buffing equipment will cause permanent cosmetic damage to body panels. Use only recommended products and techniques outlined in this manual to avoid damaging body panels.

Recommended Cleaning and Care Products

Recommended Surface Care Products

Washing the Motorcycle

Use only recommended cleaning and care products. Refer to Recommended Cleaning and Care Products and Recommended Surface Care Products.

NOTE: During rinsing and washing, avoid direct spray on electrical components and any luggage or saddlebag sealing areas (if equipped). Avoid spraying water under leather saddlebag covers (if equipped).

Preparation

1. Allow motorcycle to cool before rinsing or washing. Spraying water on hot surfaces can leave water spots and mineral deposits.

2. Rinse the motorcycle from the bottom up.

3. To loosen dried bugs or hardened dirt, allow surfaces to soak under a damp towel.

Cleaning Wheels and Tires

1. Rinse wheel and tire surfaces. Avoid splashing brake dust on chrome or painted parts.

2. Apply WHEEL & TIRE CLEANER. Allow cleaner to set for one minute.

3. Clean the wheel with a BUG EATER SPONGE or WHEEL & SPOKE BRUSH. Thoroughly scrub all brake dust and other sediments off the wheel.

Accumulated brake dust can trap moisture and dirt, which leads to wheel corrosion.

4. Rinse well.

Washing the Motorcycle

NOTE: See the appropriate instructions in this section for cleaning leather, denim (flat) finishes, windshields or other special surfaces.

1. If necessary, use BUG REMOVER to remove bug splatters.

1. Rinse the affected surfaces during preparation.
2. Spray the area with BUG REMOVER.
3. Wait one minute while the BUG REMOVER penetrates the bug splatters.
4. Use the BUG EATER SPONGE while washing to easily remove bugs.

2. Prepare the wash.

1. Fill a HARLEY WASH BUCKET with clean water.
2. Add SUNWASH BIKE SOAP, following the directions on the package.
3. Soak the WASH MITT and/or a BUG EATER SPONGE in the SUNWASH solution.

3. Wash all surfaces starting at the top working down toward the ground.

4. Rinse the motorcycle twice in both directions:

1. Rinse from the bottom up.
2. Rinse from the top down.

See also: